New help for disabled rail travellers on West Coast Main Line

Railway bosses have unveiled a number of new initiatives to make travelling easier for the disabled.

London Midland has launched its Disabled People’s Protection Policy (DPPP) after working with with passengers and other stakeholders.

The scheme is designed to make journey-planning easier for everyone, and features a downloadable map showing which stations now have step-free access.

Other information includes details about how passengers can access support from London Midland so that staff can make arrangements for ticket holders facing accessibility challenges to be taken to another station, at the company’s expense.

And the firm has also developed a Travel Support Card, which can be used by anyone who finds travelling difficult.

The card is designed to be personalised to the individual and can include a personal emergency contact as well as specific details of how London Midland staff can assist.

This can be particularly useful if a passenger needs assistance but finds it difficult to communicate their requirements, as they can simply show the card to a member of staff.

Francis Thomas, London Midland’s head of corporate affairs, said: “We are doing our very best to work in partnership with our customers to make innovative changes across our network to improve accessibility for all.

“We will continue to reach out to our passengers to help us design a service that meets their needs, both now and into the future.”

Full details of London Midland’s Disabled People’s Protection Policy can be found at the company’s website www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/more/ accessibility/